Depends on how long your ride is. 20 mile ride, it probably makes less difference. But the padding tends to move on shorts. For me it eventually moves forward with shorts. By "moving forward" I mean towards the stomach instead of the back.

So next stop light, I re-position the padding by pulling down at the crotch and simultaneously moving it back into place. The bibs are supposed to make this procedure unnecessary.

I can see where the pro riders who do a ride over 100 miles and in the saddle for several hours in race mode. They can't stop to do this. But for the recreational rider, it may be ok. Here again by trying to copy the pro riders in everything they do and wear, its not that important.

I do have one bib with matching jersey, a pro team issue. Not that big of a deal.

The last time I went and tried on some bibs and ran into the same situation, my wife told me she could shorten the straps for me. Since I was going to pay more for the bibs than the shorts and have to alter them, I just decided to stick with my shorts. The PI Attack shorts that I wear have never given me any problems and I only tried bibs just to see what all the hoopla was about. I've been wearing the Attack shorts, exclusively, for five years now and have never had any issues with them. I ride about 200-250 miles a week and if they gave me any problems, there would be no way I could ride that much without changing what I'm wearing. I don't use any creams or butt butter on my rides and I've never experienced any chaffing or irritation from the shorts. I just purchased a pair of Bellweather shorts to replace one of my PI shorts. I've done two rides in them and so far they seem to be OK. They were the same price and a tad bit more comfortable then the PI shorts but they don't give as much compression around the thighs. I'll have to get used to the different feel of the chamois as they are cut differently and feel as if something has been added between the legs.

Adding button suspenders to regular shorts, will make taking a leak easier.


200+ pounds of MAMIL is going to have you ignoring Mirrors.


I have old Bibs from my skinnier days , Just dont wear the Race biker Kit much any More

Touring, I Bring several pair of regular shorts so a Clean Pair is Put on daily on multi month days of riding.

Now I wear sweatpants..

Bibs are much more than suspenders though. They are cut completely different. I've got PI in both bibs and shorts and can definately tell the difference as far as how they stay in one place in the hips snd crotch areas. My waist is fairly small and I dont even use the draw strings on shorts to hold them.

Ok, in this group you had to know you were feeding us a straight line??? "I still like to be able to pee,, fast" Sounds like you have a problem and it isn't Bibs.


But back to reality. I use both and yes the Bibs are more comfortable for longer rides. I have shorts as well and like many will use them on shorter rides and with a full zipper Jersey. The PIs tend to be a bit tight in the shoulder for me but not my Specialized or Volar bibs. I tend to use shorts on MTB rides because they are shorter rides and I am not sitting on the saddle as long or as much.

Pros for Bibs, feels like a second skin. No elastic on the waist. Low cut can be had with a very light weight top. Cons, cost more, harder to get on and off. Shorts, cost less, easier to find in big box sporting goods stores. But they can ride down in the back. I am a bit like you in that I started out as a Clydesdale and am down to 175 with a 32-34 waist depending on the cut. I wear a medium in both shorts and Bibs however.

Assuming that you don't have a short torso bib shorts are the way to go for comfort and looks.

I own a number of bib shorts and have no issue with them though I am tempted to try Assos.

Expensive...... is what they all are, for what they are!

I only buy shorts on sale, ($15-$30) as it makes them a little more affordable, and got one pair of bibs for a good price, once.

Bibs are just too expensive, for me, to wear them regularly. I like them, but they just ain't worth the money.

All good comments and info. I purchased a pair of Pearl Izumi Men's Pro In-R-Cool Bib Short. Absolutely love them. I have a couple hundred miles on them already thanks to the mild winter here. Most comfortable pair of riding shorts I have. The padding is where it needs to be and no pressure points. I won't abandon shorts but on long rides it will be bibs. I will want to try the other brands mentioned on here. Thanks everyone.

I ride centuries and double-centuries and for those kind of miles I do prefer bib-shorts. Brand-wise my current favorites are Craft and Sugoi although I do have some Pearl Izume, Louie Garneau and Giordona (oh, and one Santini).

For my commutes to work (19 mile round trip) I use shorts, either Pearl Izume or Giordona; just easier to use and not a problem for short rides.

The only problem I have with bibs is not when riding but rather when walking around, i.e. the suspender bits tend to fall off/down my shoulders. I was just born with little or no shoulder so the problem is me . . . not the bibs!

Rick / OCRR

I started wearing bibs about 5 years ago, and I love them. I buy one or 2 pair a year depending on how much I ride an how fast they wear out. I dont mind wearing bibs on a short workout ride (12-15 miles). I still have a couple of pairs of regular shorts I wear on those.

I have worn the PI Elite In-R-Cool bibs for several years and love them. I got a pair of the Pro's last year, on clearance

I am all about PI Elite In-R-Cool bibs. I love the way they feel and they are excellent quality. If you watch, you can occasionally catch them on sale. I got a pair on sale back in December for $56.00.
Taking a wizz in these bibs is no problem for me. There is enough stretch in the material to accomplish your goal.

After my ride yesterday I can confirm that the PI In-R-Cool bibs have enough stretch in front for a quick and easy pee stop!

I am sold on bibs. I have only tried one brand, Voler. I only buy them on sale and the price difference between bibs and shorts is worth it to me. I haven't noticed any issues with them while riding. Not having a waist band is the biggest plus. Peeing is not an issue. I have lost over 30 lbs. moving from large Jersey to medium but still wear large bibs. The issue is my thighs, not my gut (lost 2 inches there)